Best Brewery (2012)

Ladyface Ale Companie is not the most centrally located brewery in Los Angeles, but its superiority in beer, food, service and community events transcends any complaints about traffic on the 101. Nestled at the foot of Ladyface Mountain, the brewery's namesake, the patio is equipped with heat lamps and misters that moderate the mercurial inland temperatures, allowing you to enjoy the bucolic views in any season. In the art nouveau interior, Cicerone-certified beer servers offer friendly advice for choosing from the California-influenced brasserie menu. Brewmaster Dave Griffith's fleet of exploratory beers runs the full spectrum of styles, spearheaded by Blind Ambition Amber and Ladyface IPA. Those styles outside the easy-selling and requisite hoppy beers have been instrumental in helping L.A. define its still-undetermined niche in the brewing world. In-house festivities like Cigar & Scotch Night and Ladies at Ladyface engender a growing community that converts new beer drinkers while rewarding stalwart regulars, and active participation in food and beer events across the city affirms Ladyface's exemplary commitment to building an educated consumer base and fostering a stronger beer scene for the Los Angeles craft community. 29281 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. (818) 477-4566, ladyfaceale.com.